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Football players plead guilty in Fulton court, may avoid jail time

Two Notre Dame football players charged with possession of marijuana, sophomores Dexter Williams and Ashton White, pleaded guilty in Fulton County Superior Court on Tuesday, according to a report from the South Bend Tribune.

Williams and White, in addition to three other Notre Dame football players, were pulled over in Fulton County on Aug. 19. for a speeding violation, according to the probable cause documents.

The two players reached a plea agreement with Fulton Country prosecutors, according to the Tribune, which would allow them to enter a “conditional discharge” program. The program would be set by Fulton Superior Court Judge Wayne Steele and would generally require a person to pass drug tests and stay out of trouble with the law enforcement for a year-long probational period. If completed, White and Williams could avoid jail time and criminal records.

The judge involved in the case has ordered an initial drug test for both Williams and White to determine their acceptance into the program.

According to the account provided in the probable cause affidavit, a “significant amount of green plant material” was found loose in the front area of the vehicle, on the center console and both of the front seats. The same green plant material, which later tested positive for the presence of marijuana, was also found in two clear plastic bags on the rear floorboard of the car.

A 9mm handgun, loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition, was also found in the backseat of the car, according to the affidavit. When questioned by the officer at the scene, all five men said the handgun was not theirs, though they did acknowledge they were in possession of marijuana.

The players may face a sentence of up to 180 days in prison and up to a $1,000 fine for possession of marijuana, if convicted.

Neither player has been suspended from the football team. Max Redfield, another passenger in the car, was kicked off the team and subsequently expelled from the University.

According to the Tribune, the sentencing is set to take place on Nov. 22.